Introduction

This Publication scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely made available to the public by Holland Opticians Ltd. It is a description of the information about our NHS services that we make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals and we will monitor its effectiveness

How much does it cost?

The publications are free unless otherwise indicated. Where information is provided at cost, the charges will be calculated as set out in Class 7.

How is the information made available?

The information within each Class is available in hard copy from: Holland Opticians, 16 Graham Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 2HL

Your Rights to Information

• The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is designed to promote openness and accountability amongst all organisations that receive public money.

• From January 1st 2005 it will oblige opticians' and optometrists' practices to respond to requests about the NHS related information that it holds, and it will create a right of access to that information. These rights are subject to some exemptions that have to be taken into consideration before releasing information.

• In addition to accessing the information identified in the publication scheme, you are entitled to request information about our NHS services under the NHS Openness Code 1995.

• New environmental information regulations may be introduced as early as 2003. These will enable similar access to environmental information as under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

• Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you are also entitled to access your clinical records or any other personal information held about you and you can contact any practice where your records are held to do this.

Feedback

If you have any comments about the operation of the Publication Scheme, or how we have dealt with your request for information from the scheme, please write to: Mr. G Holland (Address as above).

Classes of Information

All NHS information at Holland Opticians Ltd is held, retained and destroyed within NHS guidelines. Our commitment to publish information excludes any information that can be legitimately withheld under the exemptions set out in the NHS Openness Code or Freedom of Information Act 2000. From 2005, individual Classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons being the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This Scheme had been written in accordance with those exemptions. The information on this Scheme is grouped into the following categories:

1) Who we are

• We are an independent family practice.

• Our location is 16 Graham Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 2HL.

Our phone number is 01684 573942. Our web address is WWW.hollandopticians.co.uk

• Details of all the Opticians and Optometrists employed in one of our practice can be obtained by contacting us directly.

• Alternatively, details of all opticians and optometrists registered in the UK are available from the General Optical Council, Tel:0207 580 3898.

• Our Company Registration number is 01718548

2) Our services

We at Holland Opticians will provide free NHS eye tests for those who are eligible. Further examinations outside the scope of the NHS may be offered at additional charges. You may also be entitled to vouchers that can be used against the purchase of glasses or contact lenses if you require them. To find out if you are eligible for assistance please contact our practice. Appointments for eye examinations can be booked over the phone, or by dropping into the practice.

Our usual opening times are:

Monday to Friday 9.00am to 1.00pm & 2.00pm to 5.15pm

Saturday 9.00am to 4.15pm (no lunch time closing on Saturdays)

3) Financial and funding information

For every eye test performed on behalf of the NHS the opticians practice receives a set fee of £16.72. This goes towards expenses such as optometrist and staff salaries, equipment costs and other practice overheads.

If you are not eligible for the NHS eye test, please contact us for details of our current charges.

4) Regular publications and information for the public

Information about optical and ocular conditions, eye examinations, spectacles, and contact lenses, can be found on our web site: WWW.hollandopticians.co.uk Some of this information is also available in patient leaflets. These are freely available from our practice.

Complaints

If you have a complaint about any of our products or services, we recommended that you first discuss any problems with Mr. or Mrs. Holland. We hope any matter can be resolved amicably but if you are still unsatisfied with the response you receive please write to us.

A full copy of our complaints policy is available on request.

5) Our policies and procedures

• Complaints

• Data protection

• Health and safety

Please contact us if you need clarification on any of the above.

6) This publication scheme

In this class we will publish any changes we make to this publication scheme, the criteria on which our information management policies are made and a referral point for all enquires regarding information management generally in practice. We will also publish any proposed changes or additions to publications already available.

Cost of Information

For the most part, we will only charge for hard copies, or copies onto media. Charges are as follows and will be reviewed regularly.

• Single hard copies — free of charge

• Multiple hard copies, or archived copies will attract a charge for photocopying,

retrieval and postage. We will inform you of the cost of these charges that will have to be

paid in advance.

Part 3. Useful Resources

Websites:

• Information Commissioner • Lord Chancellors Department

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk www.lcd.gov.uk

• NHS Freedom of Information

www.foi.nhs.uk

Publications:

• NHS Openness Code • Freedom of Information Act 2000